Minister for Sport Mark Arbib today threw his support behind the Australian gymnastics team which will compete at the World Championships in Tokyo from October 7-16.

The World Championships will serve as one of two qualification events for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

“Australia will send a strong team to Tokyo and we wish them well in their pursuit of medals and Olympic qualification,” Senator Arbib said.

“Our Australian women’s team, led by current World Champion Lauren Mitchell, will be looking to improve on their sixth place at last year’s world championships, while our men’s team will be hoping for a top 16 finish to qualify for the Olympic Test Event in London in January.

“A top four finish at that event will see Australia’s Men’s Team achieve Olympic qualification for the first time ever.”

The Australian Women’s Team includes Mitchell, Ashleigh Brennan, Emily Little, Larrissa Miller, Mary-anne Monckton and Georgia Rose Brown.

Prashanth Sellathurai, who won the bronze medal on the Pommel Horse at the 2010 World Championships, will lead the Australian Men’s Team. The team includes Josh Jefferis, Luke Wadsworth, Luke Wiwatowski, Thomas Pichler and Sam Offord.

The Australian Government is a strong supporter of gymnastics, contributing more than $3 million in annual funding for the development of the sport at both the elite and grassroots level.

This includes an additional $600,000 per year in High Performance funding.

As part of the Government’s Green and Gold Project, Gymnastics Australia also received a further $65,000 to support athletes in the lead up to London 2012.

Media contact: Alison Hill 0407 570 640/02 9364 2600